Radicalised chemistry teacher banned from classroom

A radicalised chemistry teacher who was jailed for planning to join Islamic State in Syria has been banned from the classroom.

Jamshed Javeed, 31, who was handed a six-year sentence last year for terrorism offences, would pose an “unacceptable risk of harm to pupils” if he was allowed to return to teaching, a misconduct panel concluded.

Javeed, who taught at Sharples School in Bolton between September 2012 and November 2014, was struck off and will not be able to apply to return to the profession, the National College for Teaching and Leadership panel decided.

The panel said: “Mr Javeed actively promoted religious extremism from a position of trust as an older professional man over younger people, including his brother; albeit this was not within a teacher/pupil relationship.

“The panel has had particular regard to the fact that teachers are role models, and can have significant influence over children and young people.

“In light of this, the panel considers that should Mr Javeed be allowed to teach in the future, he would present an unacceptable risk of harm to pupils. It would also fundamentally undermine public confidence in the profession for a person convicted of such a serious offence to be allowed to teach, and would wholly fail to declare and uphold proper standards for teachers.”

The decision was backed by Jayne Millions, a senior civil servant acting on behalf of the education secretary.

She said: “Mr Javeed has been convicted of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts. His actions undermined fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law and the mutual respect of those with different faiths and beliefs.

“I note that the panel has taken due regard to the fact that the offences were not specifically related to Mr Javeed’s teaching, but that they are plainly relevant to his fitness to teach.”

She added: “Due to the serious nature of this case and for the reasons set out above, I agree with the panel’s recommendation that a prohibition order should be imposed and that no review period should be allowed.”

Javeed pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts but claimed he wanted to go to support the ordinary people of Syria, was not an extremist and had never supported the aims of Isis ”as now revealed and understood”.

A court heard that Javeed’s family had hidden his passport in a desperate attempt to stop him joining Isis – which later became known as Islamic State or Daesh – in late 2013. After helping his younger brother make the trip, he prepared to follow from his Manchester home.

Judge Michael Topolski QC said he was ”not satisfied” that Javeed had rejected ”Isis’s ultimate aims” and ruled that he posed a danger to the public in the UK and abroad.